UPM Raflatac labelstock to achieve PEFC and FSC certification

UPM Raflatac has achieved both PEFC and FSC Chain of Custody certification for a range of labelstock produced at its Scarborough factory in the UK. PEFC, the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes, and the FSC, Forest Stewardship Council, are the main certification schemes related to the sustainability of wood used for the production of papers.

The UPM Raflatac range of PEFC-approved products consist of the company’s Vellum, Raflacoat and Raflabrite materials, which target bulk end-uses such as food, retail and logistics labeling.

‘A clear chain of custody is crucial to many retailers,’ said Jan-Erik Forsstrm, senior vice president, Europe. ‘When we buy a paper from a supplier we want to make certain that it comes from a sustainable source. This strategy helps everyone in the purchasing chain. Our customers can purchase paper stock knowing that their material comes from well-managed certified forests which are legally logged and not from protected forest areas. Retailers can underline their green credentials to consumers, who in turn can make more responsible buying decisions.’

UPM supports and uses reliable forest certification schemes and has built a global chain-of-custody model to monitor and report the share of certified fiber in its products. The system meets the requirements for both PEFC and FSC. Most of the company’s units, from forestry to production, already have a certified chain of custody system in place.